solving it, they bested the land-sharpers, and came upon the real
knowledge of the value of the red oar.

Those incidents had taken place during the summer. Autumn had come,
with its shorter days, its longer nights, the chill of approaching
frosts and winter, and the turning of leaves, and the girls I had
bidden farewell to the sad, salty sea waves, and had returned to
cheerful Chelton.

Cheerful Chelton--I believe I never thus alliteratively referred to
it before, but the sound falls well upon my ear. Cheerful Chelton--
indeed it was so, and though Cora and her chums had enjoyed
themselves to the utmost at Crystal Bay and in so enjoying had done
it noble service still they were glad to get back.

And now--

I beg your pardon! I really am forgetting, the boys, and as they
always have, and seem always destined to play in important part in
the lives of the girls, perhaps I had better introduce them in due
form.

To begin with, though not to end with, there was Cora's brother Jack.
Like all other girls' brothers was Jack--a tease at times, but of
sterling worth in hours of distress and trouble.

Jack was a junior at Exmouth College, but, bless you! that is not
nearly as important as it sounds, and none of my new readers need be
on their dignity; or assume false society manners with Jack. For I
warn them, if they do, the thin veneer will very soon be scratched